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But Wyke underwent a scan today and he is expected to be missing for between six and eight weeks.

Wyke joined Sunderland from Bradford City in August and he arrived on Wearside carrying a medial ligament injury he suffered while playing a pre-season friendly for the Bantams in mid-July, and he did not make his first appearance for the Black Cats until September 1, when he scored on his debut against Oxford United at the Stadium of Light.

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This latest injury - suffered on his first league start for his new club - has affected the same right knee.

Assuming the timescale turns out to be correct, Sunderland are unlikely to see Wyke back in action until the beginning of November at the earliest - and it could be the middle of that month, depending on how quickly he heals and returns to match fitness.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross (L) instructs Charlie Wyke during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Fleetwood Town (Image: Sunderland AFC)

The 25-year-old is likely to miss at least ten games in all competitions, one of which is the return to Valley Parade to face his old club Bradford at the beginning of October.

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And losing the experienced League One frontman for an extended period is a major blow for Ross and for Sunderland, who have only two other senior strikers in the shape of Josh Maja and Jerome Sinclair.

Ross said on Saturday: “There was a significant impact when he challenged the goalkeeper and it’s the same knee that was injured when he joined the club.

“At the time I thought it might be a bit reckless by the goalkeeper, but having seen it again I don’t have too many complaints.

“ Charlie is in a bit of pain just now, but sometimes these things heal quickly and they are not as bad as they look at first - but equally they can go the other way.

“We’ll let it settle down and then assess it over the next 24 or 48 hours.”